A DOLPHIN rescued after becoming stranded on a beach in South West Wales has died.

Marine conservationists worked throughout the night on Friday to save the 5ft mammal which was too weak to swim back out to sea.

Rescuers are unclear about the cause of death, although they think it could have had a worm infestation.

It was spotted by holidaymakers on a beach near Saundersfoot on Friday.

Terry Leadbeater, from the Seal Sanctuary in Milford Haven, said the dolphin was rescued near Wiseman's Bridge, but died yesterday morning.

"We were called on Friday afternoon by the coastguard and when we arrived on the beach there were literally hundreds of holidaymakers round the dolphin - we couldn't move.

"We managed to get it into a 10-metre pool in Milford Haven but, at about 11am it had convulsions and died.

"Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade was on the scene and administered oxygen to the dolphin, but it didn't work. It's unclear what killed it although it could be a worm infestation which caused malnutrition. The dolphin was not fully-grown and was about two to three years old."